Board to hear more on tourist profile

Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 5:36 p.m.

The Flagler County Tourist Development Council will hear the rest of the story this morning.

After receiving a copy of a visitor profile and economic impact report in February, tourism board members will follow up with consultant Evelyn Fine at today's meeting, something that TDC Chairman Nate McLaughlin is anticipating.

"I'm looking forward to the interpretation, where the visitors are coming from and who we should be going after — all that kind of stuff," McLaughlin said. "I'm really looking forward to Evelyn giving us her interpretation and what direction she can give us."

The report from Mid-Florida Marketing and Research will provide local tourism officials with a focused look at where tourists are coming from and what is bringing them to Flagler County, said Georgia Turner, vice president of tourism development at the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates.

And having Fine back for a second consecutive meeting will allow tourism board members to get more details.

"This will be more in-depth and really give more information about what the report shows," Turner said.

Also on the agenda is a discussion of an amended resolution on grants for special events.

"This is a result of the workshop earlier this month," Turner said. "Some of the changes we're recommending to the Board of County Commissioners are to adapt the grants more to attract sports teams and other events as well."

Over the past few years, the TDC has sharpened its focus on sports niche events, including soccer and field hockey tournaments, and other events that bring visitors to the county's hotels and campgrounds.

The change in the grants policy is something McLaughlin said is necessary.

"We want to keep it somewhat fluid going forward so we can adjust as the market adjusts," he said.

The policy change will broaden the allowable uses of tourist development grants to pay for items beyond advertising and marketing efforts for special events.

Items such as referees' fees, local printing costs, fees to sanctioning bodies and participant awards would be allowable uses for tourist development funds if the recommendations are approved.

The TDC meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the board chambers of the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell.

<p>The Flagler County Tourist Development Council will hear the rest of the story this morning. </p><p>After receiving a copy of a visitor profile and economic impact report in February, tourism board members will follow up with consultant Evelyn Fine at today's meeting, something that TDC Chairman Nate McLaughlin is anticipating. </p><p>"I'm looking forward to the interpretation, where the visitors are coming from and who we should be going after &mdash; all that kind of stuff," McLaughlin said. "I'm really looking forward to Evelyn giving us her interpretation and what direction she can give us." </p><p>The report from Mid-Florida Marketing and Research will provide local tourism officials with a focused look at where tourists are coming from and what is bringing them to Flagler County, said Georgia Turner, vice president of tourism development at the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates. </p><p>And having Fine back for a second consecutive meeting will allow tourism board members to get more details. </p><p>"This will be more in-depth and really give more information about what the report shows," Turner said. </p><p>Also on the agenda is a discussion of an amended resolution on grants for special events. </p><p></p><p>"This is a result of the workshop earlier this month," Turner said. "Some of the changes we're recommending to the Board of County Commissioners are to adapt the grants more to attract sports teams and other events as well." </p><p>Over the past few years, the TDC has sharpened its focus on sports niche events, including soccer and field hockey tournaments, and other events that bring visitors to the county's hotels and campgrounds. </p><p>The change in the grants policy is something McLaughlin said is necessary. </p><p>"We want to keep it somewhat fluid going forward so we can adjust as the market adjusts," he said. </p><p>The policy change will broaden the allowable uses of tourist development grants to pay for items beyond advertising and marketing efforts for special events. </p><p>Items such as referees' fees, local printing costs, fees to sanctioning bodies and participant awards would be allowable uses for tourist development funds if the recommendations are approved. </p><p>The TDC meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the board chambers of the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell.</p>